How they did it

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 3, 2001

[Times photo: Fred Victorin] Tracy Troschinetz, of Madeira Beach, lost 90 pounds and went from a size 26 to a size 12. She has kept off her weight for two years.

Need some motivation to get started on your weight-loss journey? Here are excerpts from some of the tales of success shared with the Times by readers. Their experiences and suggestions just might be the push you need.

"I am motivated by looking at old pictures and clothing. I NEVER want to look like that again. The one tip that helped me was to eat five small meals a day instead of three, make sure to eat breakfast and drink plenty of water during the day." -- Tracy Troschinetz, Madeira Beach, who lost 90 pounds on Weight Watchers.

"I eat the same things I always did, but I eat only when I am truly hungry and stop when I am satisfied. (Not stuffed.) This way of eating makes so much sense and is not as hard as depriving myself of the food I love." -- Cathy Reits, Largo, who lost 124 pounds on the Weigh Down Workshop, a Bible-based program that helps participants replace their "devotion to the refrigerator with a life-changing love for God."

"Daily, choose to eat healthy and exercise; before getting out of bed, make the commitment to yourself. Do not let YOURSELF down. There is nothing YOU cannot do if YOU are committed to YOU." -- Raquel R. Creamer, Hudson, who lost about 60 pounds through the eDiets.com program. This online program offers personalized diets devised by psychologists and dietitians for a fee. Support comes from chat rooms.

"I put the bathroom scale in front of the refrigerator, the place I usually go for snacks." -- Alida Marie Duchene, St. Petersburg.

"To be sure to stick to your diet, shop frequently to always have the right food on hand." -- Elva Mafteiu, Seminole, 81, who was motivated to lose 20 pounds when she realized "I'd have MORE choices of beautiful clothes in my closet if I had LESS pounds."

"Do not eat any diet foods or drink any diet drinks. The stuff they put in them is worse for your health than if you ate or drank the real thing, only less of it." -- Dorothy Baxter, St. Petersburg, who has kept 35 pounds off for about 30 years.

"Only use the salad plate for your large meal of the day, and drink a glass of water right before you sit down to eat." -- Alice Lyon, Palm Harbor, who says that losing a cumulative 695 pounds from age 15 to 65 has taught her a thing or two.

First, shed self doubt Times readers say having a strong sense of self worth really helps in the weight-loss wars.

"It's not worth gaining weight for two minutes of pleasure eating a chocolate sundae. Eating pleasure lasts a few minutes -- good health and a good feeling lasts a long time." -- Joyce Anderson, Palm Harbor, who 20 years ago lost 40 pounds, got herself an agent and has been doing modeling and commercials ever since. She's 77 now.

"What keeps me motivated is that every time I look in the mirror I see this new, fit person. I never in a million years thought I could be in such good shape in middle age. I can't say I enjoy exercise, but I enjoy the results so much that going to the gym is just a part of my routine, every day. . . . And don't think you are too old to get back in shape. If I can do it, so can you." -- Jan Craig-Olinger, 53, who is 44 pounds lighter now than on Labor Day 1999 when she decided it was time for a change. Hers came at the gym.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright